Is it illegal to drive a jeep without doors?
JEEP is one of the UK’s favourite car brands and the iconic 4×4 vehicles are able to have their doors and roofs removed easily.
However, a recent change in American law has left British petrol heads questioning whether they can drive without doors in the UK.
A big change in America
One of the Jeep’s iconic features is the ability to remove the vehicles roof and doors.
The vehicle made headline news in the USA, in July 2024, when Pennsylvania became the final state to legalise doorless driving.
There are some caveats to that law though.
In America, doorless vehicles must have two side mirrors and a review mirror attached at an appropriate level.
Lawmakers also pointed out that doorless vehicles come with the risk of greater injury, in the event of a car accident.
A difference in UK law
UK law is slightly more complicated than US law when it comes to door-less vehicles.
There is no particular law which bans the driving of a door-less vehicle but all doorless vehicles must have their side and rear mirrors attached.
Because the law is unclear on the issue, you do face one big risk when driving without doors.
A police officer could decide that you are driving the vehicle in a dangerous condition which could result in them giving you a fine.
An all-American brand
Jeep is an American automobile brand which takes its name from 1940s U.S Army slang.
The phrase was used to refer to new recruits or vehicles but eventually became the name of a new vehicle used during the Second World War.
Since 1945, the brand has been headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, where it launched its Jeep Wrangler series.
Jeep became so iconic that it is often referred to as the “most patriotic brand”, because of its association with Americana.